27-7= 20mths

Sept 8,2011 

For every peace Corp moment I seem to have several reality checks. I love being here & get such a high from helping people. I am so proud of myself for how I act and what I do it's crazy. I look back on my life a year ago, 5years ago even more and then look at where I am now. Of course I am still Alexandra D Murillo. But my mind and body now a days is almost unrecognizable. Besides the minor weight loss my body has been fighting  for a normal healthy since I ventured out to site. As I've mentioned the common cold to minor accidents have occurred. Nothing to worry about, because not only do I have the best health team at my disposal but I have a great group of friends and bosses to call. Of course it is frustrating but I NEVER thought for a second I would be coming to Peace Corps Paraguay for a vacation. I came here to work. I came here to help. So a "couple" hiccups have happened in my road to success. I know I'll look back at my service time here in 2+ years and laugh. Actually that's were my mind is unrecognizable. I also NEVER thought I'd be able to laugh at myself. I thought I had a pretty weak mind, that i wasn't able to handle disappointment and failure. I thought maybe I would throw in the towel when things got rough. Maybe some of you at home think different of me?.... I always hear my friends and family telling me that they are proud of me. But very rarely do I tell myself that I am proud of myself. But I AM! 

Example: yesterday after many years of my community never coming together to work. I had hand written 25 invitations in guarani to hand delivery to every house. I explained in Spanish and broken guarani to please come to a meeting on Wednesday at 3pm. So on Wednesday I drew a poster describing what it would take to start a committee. I walked from my house the half KM to our little chapel. At 2:55pm (EARLY for PY time, Super Early) 15 women from my community showed up.I lead the meeting in Spanish and got my point across of how a womens group works and the pros and cons. We voted for our president, vice,treasurer and secretary. At the end of the meeting I had a total of 17 out of the 25 women involved. Maybe this doesn't sound like a big deal.. But to me it's HUGE! After 4months of living in a community all the terere sessions and simple hellos I have been able to gain respect in my community. 2months ago I asked the same 25 houses plus another 25 in my other community to come to my site presentation. I had 5 people show up and 2 were from the other community as well as one being a host mom. 

So basically no matter what obstacles Paraguay will throw at me, for one hour of success it is all worth it to me. I hope my women's commission will work hard. Not for me, but for them! They are so guapa(hardworking) when it comes to how they live (carrying wood, getting well water, cooking on an open fire, washing clothes for families of 8+ people etc) but the projects we will work on is FOR THEM! Maybe a fogon ( brick oven) project so they don't have to inhale smoke nemore or a garden projects they can afford vegetables! Who knows! Keep ur fingers crossed! 

I miss and love you all! I got a letter from Liz and Nigel, a package from dad and Laura, and bday card from kate and mark! Thank you ALL!